Fandoms have an inescapable urge to rank every aspect of their favorite media property and often have a funny way of coalescing with a singular popular opinion. Decisively ranking something good or bad rarely interrogates the infinite complexities within a piece of art, possibly leaving quality material behind in the lists.
Thor: The Dark Worldis generally cited as the worst film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a variety of reasons. It has the franchise’s weakest villain, a confusing plot, and a complete lack of originality. Almost everything it does was done better inThororThor: Ragnarok, with the exception of one crucial element.
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The plot ofThor: The Dark Worldtakes place immediately afterThe Avengers, rejoining the God of Thunder after the successfularrest of his brother Loki. The God of Mischief’s actions on Earth land him a life sentence in a tiny cell in his adoptive father’s palace, where he stays with unnerving almost Hannibal Lecter-like patience. Most of the first and second act surrounds Thor’s misguided battle against the forgettable villain Malekith, the Dark Elf. The monstrous figure seeks the Aether, a liquid source of energy that would later be revealed tobe the Reality Stone. In his war against Asgard, Malekith invades the palace, steals the Aether, and kills Lady Frigga. Devastated by the death of his mother, Thor turns to the only person he thinks can help him.
At this point in the franchise, Loki had appeared in two other films. His role inThorexplored his tragic origin, leading to his violent betrayal. He’s presumed dead by his family after the battle on the Rainbow Bridge, but he returns tosurprise inThe Avengers.That film is much less courteous to his character. Aside from a single exchange with Thor, Loki doesn’t grow or change as a character throughout the plot. He’s a cartoonish villain, mostly good for insulting his foes and smirking confidently. His first showcase established his motivation and demonstrated his first example of acting out as a villain. His second was his main stage performance as a villain. By the time of his third, it was time for Loki’s relationship with Thor to become interesting.
The early moments ofThor: The Dark Worldsees Loki playing out the same routine he just finished out inThe Avengers. He’s judgemental, preening, snarky, and he spends half of his lines guilt-tripping whoever happens to be standing near his cell. When monsters break down the doors and start killing people, he waits patiently for them to pass him by. Perhaps he could argue that there was nothing he could do about it, that he was caged without his weaponry and unable to provide aid. But, he takes no action and makes no attempt, so they kill his mom. It’s somewhat reminiscent of thedeath of Ben Parkerthrough the inaction of his nephew Peter. Loki is devastated by the loss of his beloved mother, and when Thor comes to him for help, he finally lets down his guard for a moment to acquiesce. The scene is only ten or fifteen minutes long, from when Thor approaches Loki in prison to the end of their scheme, but it’s one of the most important moments of their relationship in the franchise.
Loki still plays jokeswhile he and Thor set out on the quest to avenge his mother. Nothing seems to stop him from messing with his beloved brother. Thor even banters back from time to time, their chemistry is unstoppable. Loki needles him over the fate of his human bride and points out that his lifespan will eclipse hers by millennia. When they come to blows over their disagreements, Loki cuts a joke that breaks the tension. Thor says the line that codifies their entire lives together “I wish I could trust you.” Loki reaches out a hand to his brother in the only language he understands, “Trust my rage”.
Loki and Thor’s relationshipis addressed again inThor: Ragnarok, but so much of it is played off with jokes. Loki tries to trick his brother, but now his brother is wise to his acts. Both his bad actions and his failure to accomplish them are bits. Thor and Loki have a complex relationship, but the only work to force them out of their comfort zone and see what they’re like underneath all the higher elements is the least-liked one in the franchise.
Thor: The Dark Worldis, ultimately, a misguided movie with one extremely well-executed scene. That one scene, however, perfectly encapsulates one of the most important relationships in the franchise. Loki is once again presumed dead by his brother in the current MCU, and there’s been no sight of him inThor: Love and Thunder’s marketing. Fans will have to wait and see whether Thor and Loki are explored as a duo in future works.
